How does the AC independent suspension compare to the Sportsman supsension?

 

Depends on who you ask. The Polaris guys will say Polaris is better, the Cat guys will say Cat's are better (and they are [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]). You probably won't find anyone who actually OWNS both brands...ok, well I do, but the the Predator isn't an IRS...Hmmm...neither is my cat!

 

Is it fair to say that they are "comparible"? I had a 98 sportsman 500. Great suspension, but didnt like the liquid cooled engine and the belt drive. Nice to ride but the reliablity was always in question. If the Arctic Cat 400 has a similar ride and air cooled with a manual, that looks to be a good unit.

 

I would say they are probably comparable. I think the Polaris machines have a swaybar on theirs, which will limit articulation somewhat. Cat's do not, which gives them more articulation but also more roll. Also, there's been some talk of poor rear axels on the Cats when larger than stock tires are used. My Cat has the "ACT" suspension, which is basically a solid axel that acts like independant. Doesn't have the clearance, but then it doesn't have CV boots to go bad and has a tougher axel too. They still make 400's with the ACT suspension so you might want to check those out.

The current 400's use the same engine as my brother's 375. It's air and oil cooled (has a huge oil radiator in the front). It's actually a better cooling combination than on the old 371cc water cooled "400" engine on mine as the fan on his goes off WAY less often.

Hope that all helps!

 

my bud has a sp500ho'02 i have a '03 500i and HIS has a softer drive

 

basstoy------------you say you have areverse light how did you hook it up, i hooked mine to the hi beem switch i was just wondering how you hooked up yours

 

I have a 03 400 4X4 with the manual and ACT rear end . I really like this machine, lots of power for anything you want to do with it. Mine is good on fuel as well. I like the ACT rear end, the ride is a lot better than the Honda's, lots more stability and ground clearance. I use mine for hauling wood, trail riding, and the occasional mud hole. I haven't ridden an IRS machine yet, but I would stay away from them anyway, just more maintenance. There's also 2 more CV joints to break, and they're expensive. I really don't think the ride difference is noticeable when you're in the seat. My bike has very good ground clearance, I rarely touch the skid plate. I only have one concern, when in reverse, it's in high range, whach can be a pain when trying to back up a heavy trailer. Other than that, the bike has been bulletproof.

 

MUDBLASTER:::: im sorry but i lost the file that i got of one of the fourms,, i think it was here or atv time.com ,, just ask in here or that forum and you will probly get a reply mine works by just puting the lever in reverse its just like a car i think if i remember you find the red wire coming from the tranny and you splice into that wire and hook it up to the ground pin of a automotive relay ,,,, anyways the guy who sent me this info had pics and every thing and it was really easy to do it!!!! im sorry for not remembering the guys name for giving him the credit he deserves but im sure we can find him again...... just ask in this forum or atv time good luck

 

I have a 03 cat and ride with several Polaris guys. I only have 70 miles and it rides stiff. Out of the guys that I know that have cats, I am the first to have the IRS, they all have the ACT and before I bought mine, I borrowed a 99 400 act. If I stood up and rode thew the rough stuff i could keep up but I knew it at the end of the ride. So I hope that the IRS will be comparible.

 

I have an 02 400i with 350 miles on it, the suspension is starting to soften up, but you seem to have to wrestle with it in the of camber spots it'll almost always have 1 or 2 tires of the ground in some spots where other machines stay on the ground. It also seems to be lacking for power.